when you went away
early morning
standing at the source
you on the south side
me on the north
a handshake
we’re away
eastbound all the way
the river gets wider so quickly
echoes of the pitches that made way for the westway to stay
cars gaining height
but no take-offs
(not tonight)
keep the windows small
keep the engine noise at bay
it feels like when you went away
you were piled up in the fast lane
you were pulled in by the slipstream
because you strayed
east of SE10
proper maritime
i shout to your shore
you shout back out of time
every blind container
punted down the river
floated on ahead of us (for now)
step into the tunnel
i’ll meet you in the middle
as the water presses down
a stairwell without piss
who could ask for more than this?
i’m sure i saw someone reach dry land then just turn around
it feels like when you went away
you were piled up in the fast lane
you were pulled in by the slipstream
you were dragged in by the current
to be washed up on the shoreline
because you strayed
as night falls we reach the dam
i had hoped to identify a definite point at which river becomes mouth
mouth becomes sea
but it’s too dark now
instead i take my clothes off
tie them into a rope
lower myself down the slimy concrete face and go with the flow